Trump in September: 'If you're not guilty of a crime, what do you need immunity for?'

During the presidential campaign, President Donald Trump had a
seemingly different view on the implications of requesting
immunity in a criminal investigation.

Trump tweeted on Friday morning that Michael Flynn, his
former national security adviser who is being investigated by
Congress and the FBI over his communications with Russia, should
ask for immunity to protect himself from "a witch hunt."

But back in September, when reports surfaced that Hillary Clinton
aides were granted immunity in an FBI investigation into
Clinton's private email server, Trump said at a campaign rally
that such a request for immunity amounted to an admission of
criminal guilt.

"Her aides took the Fifth Amendment and her ringleaders were
given immunity," Trump told the crowd, which booed in response.
"And if you're not guilty of a crime, what do you need immunity
for, right?"

Around the same time, Jason Miller, then Trump's communications
adviser,
argued that reports that Clinton aides ‘‘were granted
immunity from prosecution in Hillary Clinton’s email scandal
shows this was without a doubt a criminal scheme."

Like Trump, Flynn also made comments last year that have
raised eyebrows given his reported request for immunity from
prosecution.

"When you are given immunity, that means you have probably
committed a crime," Flynn said
during an interview with MSNBC commentator Chuck Todd.

Michael Flynn to NBC in September: "When you are given immunity, that means you have probably committed a crime." https://t.co/aoDmgQ5hxU

A request for immunity from prosecution does not amount
to an admission of guilt. A person granted
immunity may still be criminally prosecuted for crimes
revealed in the testimony as long as the activity is
confirmed with independent evidence.

Flynn resigned in February after less than a month as
national security adviser, following reports that he misled Vice
President Mike Pence and other US officials about his
conversations with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak.
Flynnwas allegedly involved in discussions about
the possible lifting of Russian sanctions.

So far, his request for immunity has gotten no takers. The Senate
Intelligence Community reportedly rejected the request, NBC News
reported Friday.